Categories: Freezer Friendly Recipes Main Course Recipes

Sweet & Spicy Chinese Chicken

My personal theory is that you can never have too many quick & easy freezer meals ready to go, especially ones that use budget-friendly chicken! This juicy, flavorful sweet & spicy Chinese chicken was a huge hit with both my husband AND kids; in fact, my five year old, after cleaning her plate in about 2 minutes flat, went on and on in her little accent about how it was so yummy and she wanted “mo” and it was the best dinner “evoh.” So there you go.

To make it as part of a freezer cooking day, just split the sauce & chicken into multiple bags, then throw it right into the freezer–no cooking required! Making it ahead of time is not necessary, though, as it is equally delicious just marinated at room temperature.

You can use any type of chicken but my family much prefers the boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which are a darker, juicier meat and also tend to be cheaper than the boneless skinless breasts.

Here is what you need:

2 bunches green onions
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
12 oz pineapple juice
1/4 cup chili sauce with garlic
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3-4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken

 Step 1: Chop green onion; set aside.

Step 2: In large bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, pineapple juice, chili sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, green onions and soy sauce.

Step 3: Divide chicken into two gallon size freezer bags (be sure to label bags first!)

Step 4: Divide sauce into bags over top of chicken. Freeze until needed.

Step 5: Thaw; pour contents into slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, or place in casserole dish and bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve over cooked rice.

Sweet & Spicy Chinese Chicken

These delicious flavors bring the yin and yang to the dinner table.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Keyword Sweet & Spicy Chinese Chicken
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 47 minutes
Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  • 2 bunches green onions
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 12 oz pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup chili garlic sauce
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3-4 pounds boneless skinless chicken

Instructions

  1. Chop green onion; set aside.
  2. In large bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, pineapple juice, chili sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, green onions and soy sauce.
  3. Divide chicken into two gallon size freezer bags (be sure to label bags first!)
  4. Divide sauce into bags over top of chicken. Freeze until needed.
  5. Thaw; pour contents into slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, or place in casserole dish and bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve over cooked rice.
Ruth Soukup

View Comments

  • I'm not sure if I missed something but my chicken had very little flavor. :(

    • Oh no Becky! Did the chicken have enough time to marinade? Try increasing the marinade time.

  • i love your page, it has amazing tips for being a mom and housewife! I live in Norway, and what i find awesome is that most of the recipes contains ingredients that I can also buy here. Thank you for making my life easier :)

  • Checked it again now I see 'garlic' chili sauce sorry.

  • Sounds tasty... but amount of chili sauce?

  • This looks great! A recipe my husband would love!

  • Wow, I love Chinese take out, and this looks like a great (less fattening and less expensive) option. My husband and I totally have to make this at home. We also love the boneless chicken thighs, not only do they taste great but they are regularly lower priced than regular boneless skinless chicken breasts, which makes them a no-brainer in our house. From what I can see, this may even replace my love of sweet-and-sour chicken, guess we'll just have to make it and find out! Do you think this would work in the slow cooker? I work out of the house full time and love using this whenever I can!

Share
Published by
Ruth Soukup

Recent Posts

  • Holiday Resources

Our LWSL Holiday Planner is back (but only for a limited time!)

Have you heard the news? It’s the 12th Anniversary of our LWSL Holiday Planner! For…

2 years ago
  • Archived

Favorite 5 – Organizational Tools

LWSL & Co. Favorite 5 It seems crazy that it's fall already, but we can…

2 years ago
  • Archived

Favorite 5 – Things We Use Every Day

Lisa's Favorite 5 I'm a busy wife, mom, and gigi, so I'm all about finding…

2 years ago
  • Fix Your Budget

Stop Worrying About Money

Feeling like your finances are out of control can be downright scary. Don't miss these…

2 years ago
  • Archived

Favorite 5 – Mama’s Me Time Necessities

Amanda's Favorite 5 Do you spend so much time pouring into everyone else in your…

2 years ago
  • Archived

Favorite 5 – Gifts for Dads

Danny's Favorite 5 Need some gift ideas for the Dads in your life? I've got…

2 years ago

Simplify your life in just 3 simple steps. Get our Living Well Starter Guide, absolutely free!

GET IT HERE